POWERSTEP is a project that demonstrates the novel concept and design treatment schemes of energy-positive wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are net energy producers. Municipal wastewater treatment in Europe requires a significant amount of energy to eliminate organic matter and nutrients (i.e. nitrogen and phosphorus) from the sewage prior to its discharge. An average amount of electricity of32 kWh per capita per year is required to treat wastewater. Overall, the municipal wastewater sector in Europe consumes the annual power generation of two large (1,000 MW) power plants. Similarly, organic matter contained in municipal wastewater accounts for a chemical energy potential of 87,500 GWh per year, equivalent to 12 large power stations! Partners of POWERSTEP stand with the idea that a leap-frog progress in wastewater treatment processes is possible by converting sewage treatment plants into power production facilities while maintaining or improving the quality of treated wastewater.
Today, making WTTPs energy-efficient typically addresses only marginal improvements like more efficient aggregates such as aerators and pumps, or more efficient digester operations. The realisation of an energy-positive WWTP requires a combination of new concepts for wastewater treatment together with an optimised integration of existing technologies in all side aspects, including sludge treatment and biogas valorisation. POWERSTEP uses concepts and technologies that have been tested in laboratories and pilot scale plants. Their full-scale commercial references with a reliable assessment of process efficiencies under realistic conditions remain at stake. POWERSTEP aims to demonstrate their viability to ensure a successful market deployment of the new technology.
• Demonstrate the concept of energy-producing WWTPs based upon full-scale investigations of individual processes and design elements.
• Assess energy balances and operation costs and the dependence on factors such as wastewater constitution, treatment quality target, and more.
• Define potential design schemes of cost-competitive energy positive and carbon neutral WWTPs.
• Ensure confidence in the design and operation of the overall treatment schemes to enable replication of solutions and rapid deployment.
• Guarantee a significant contribution from the water sector to the green-energy sector, while securing worldwide market shares and job growth in Europe.
